Pennsylania polls

There are 4 statewide races on the ballot tomorrow.

In the US Senate race Bob Casey (D) sort of fell asleep while Tom Smith (R) spent millions on TV ads singing the praises of coal. If I see that ad with that kid with the southern accent blaming the President and Casey for losing his job one more time because of regulations  I'm going to throw up. The fact that natural gas prices have decreased because of shale drilling is why utilities are switching to gas powered generators and need less coal. I thought Republicans believed in market forces. I think Casey holds on.


Kathleen Kane will be the next Attorney General of Pennsylvania. She has had a double digit lead in every public poll since the primary. I was a big supporter of Patrick Murphy in the primary but poor turnout in Philadelphia and the suburbs sunk him. I had a nice chat with David Freed at the Luzerne County GOP picnic in August. On my way out I told David Freed that I thought the AG's office would be in good hands whoever won. He said he felt the same way after the primary. He respects his opponent. Now that we are in closing days the ads have got tough. I really like that the Freed camp cited my Parking Ticket post in an ad but attributed it to WILK

Incumbent Treasurer Rob McCord, a Democrat from Bryn Mawr,will win big.  Republican challenger Diana Irey Vaughan, is  a Washington County commissioner,
Libertarian Patricia Fryman, the retired auditor of Venango County, is also on the ballot.

Auditor General is going down to the wire. Both candidates are on the air.  Rep. Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat from York County, and Rep. John Maher, a Republican from Allegheny County. I think they are also running for reelection as state reps. I don't think it should be allowed to run for 2 offices like Joe Lieberman or Paul Ryan. This is tossup but it's a Democratic year in PA. DePasquale wins.

 Kevin Blaum backs Maher .

PA Attorney General race

The David Freed camp put out a press release slamming Kathleen Kane for going to the Democratic Convention in Charlotte pointing out that he skipped the festivities in Tampa. 


HARRISBURG, PA – As the 2012 election cycle marks its final 9 weeks today, Kathleen Kane’s first priority after the Labor Day weekend is to jet off to sunny Charlotte to join party kingmakers at the Democratic National Convention.

Last week, during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Cumberland County District Attorney and candidate for Attorney General, David Freed, spent the week traveling Pennsylvania, stopping in Centre County, Dauphin County, Lehigh County, Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Luzerne County, Bradford County, Wyoming County, Sullivan County, and Lackawanna County to name a few.
This week’s schedule is very much the same as Freed travels the state, connecting with voters and activists.
“Pennsylvania voters deserve an experienced leader to represent them as the commonwealth’s chief law enforcement officer – not someone who prefers hobnobbing out-of-state with power-brokers and career politicians,” said Freed campaign manager, Tim Kelly.
Kelly continues, “Out of touch politicians are certainly not in short supply. That doesn’t mean we should elect another one as our next Attorney General.” 

This is true. I had the pleasure of meeting David Freed at the Luzerne County GOP picnic. 

He has a big hill to climb as the latest polls show Kane winning big 40-29. Not to read to much into the poll results but I think people like the idea of a woman as Attorney General especially after the Sandusky thing.

Luzerne County GOP picnic

David Freed

About 50 people attended the  Luzerne County Republican Party Pre-Convention Rally / BBQ at the family farm of Chairman Bill Urbanski in Mountaintop. Going down the road to place I was glad I drive an SUV with 4 wheel drive. Many candidates and staff are in Tampa for the convention like Lou Barletta and Aaron Kaufman. They should have sent a surrogate.



Bill said he promised a hurricane free picnic and he delivered. You have to hear him sing.
 
The only statewide candidate to make it was Attorney General hopeful David Freed who dismissed the naysayers who think Mitt Romney can't win Pennsylvania because there are more Romney signs in SW PA than Obama signs. Talking to rank and file I was surprised by the pessimism of winning the Presidential race and down right hostility to Mitt Romney. I won't name names. 

17th Congressional District candidate Laureen Cummings complained about Obamacare then told me that the NRCC polled the district and thinks she has a good chance of beating Matt Cartwright. 

State Rep Karen Boback bragged the she secured both nominations and asked for support. I hate uncontested elections, The back mountain Dems need to get their shit together and get a candidate in 2014.

I finally got to meet assistant deputy dog of some county department Art Bobbouine. Try to pronounce that  last name. My pal Jim O'Meara dragged Laureen off to another event, he is her campaign manager. A real pleasure was meeting Jason Fitzgerald of Penn Strategies. He helped Marino win in 1010 and is now working for Freed and other candidates.Lynette Villano was taking the money and selling the chances for the prizes as she always does. She told me of her frustrations with lone wolf Steve Urban (R to D)when she was county chair.  I think I saw Norton the Blogger lurking about but there wasn't a  VW  micro bus parked  or any sign of Buzz let alone a Univac 3000.


On my way out I told David Freed that I thought the AG's office would be in good hands whoever won. He said he felt the same way after the primary. He respects his opponent.

Where was everybody, the turnout was less than I expected. Speaking of low turnout Alex is having a Mitt Romney Acceptance Speech Watch Party. 



More pictures at this link

Kathleen Kane on Voter ID

Kathleen Kane today called on the Corbett Administration and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to remove roadblocks to efforts determining whether Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law violates voters’ constitutional rights.

“The U.S. Attorney General is authorized under the Voting Rights Act to investigate whether political processes discriminate against the voting rights of minorities,” Kane said. “Rather than stonewalling, Pennsylvania should be making every effort to fulfill the Department of Justice’s request to ensure that no Pennsylvanians are disenfranchised by this law.”

It was reported earlier this week that the Corbett Administration is resisting a July 23, 2012 request of the Department of Justice to compile and send information about the Voter ID law as part of the Department’s examination into whether the new law is discriminatory.

“The Corbett Administration claims that DOJ does not have authority to seek this information. That argument is just not legall

y valid.” Kane added. “Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race or color, requires examination of the ‘totality of circumstances’ in determining whether a violation has occurred. This request for information to determine the totality of the circumstances is a reasonable and responsible inquiry by DOJ. “The Administration should stop playing politics and comply.”

Kane says Corbett impeding review of voter ID law

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/22/4748888/kane-says-corbett-impeding-review.html#storylink=cpy

Parick Murphy wins easy

Right from the beginning of this race I thought that Patrick Murphy would be the next Attorney General of Pennsylvania.Kathleen Kane has mounted a good effort but will come up short.our online poll is showing that you my dear readers agree with me 3 to 1.   Murphy will run up big numbers in Philadelphia and the suburbs. He has been in Pittsburgh for the last few weeks and that should pay off.  The parking meter thing in W-B may help Kane in W-B.

Closing arguments in the PA Attorney General race

Kathleen Kane is highlighting her endorsement by former President Bill Clinton who said “ she has a steel spine and a caring heart.” My friend Tom of NEPartisan went to the rally in the Philly suburbs and was wowed by Clinton just as I was when he came to Nantikoke to get Congressman Kanjorski reelected 2010. That worked out well for Kanjo. Clinton was paying back Kanjorski for his backing of Hillary in the 2008 Presidential race and he is paying back a similar chit to Kane .


This race started out with 2 very attractive candidates touting their credentials to become  the first elected  Democratic Attorney General in Pennsylvania history. Just like most races the closing days have seen both camps attacking the other. The knock on Patrick Murphy is that he took the bar exam in Minnesota instead of PA and hasn't prosecuted a case in the state      NEPartisan has a video of Patrick Murphy that was shopped around by the Kane campaign. VoteVets  pushed backed saying  the campaign of Kathleen Kane has demeaned the service of Patrick Murphy in the US Army, by claiming he has not been a prosecutor, despite the hundreds of cases he tried in the Army


The hits on Kane are more substantial. Borys noticed that Kane is talking out both sides of her mouth on the Employee Free Choice Act also known as card check. Her family's trucking company Kane is Able is non union and their drivers make substantially less than unionized drivers. Most of her campaign money has come from her husband and other family members to the tune of 2+ million dollars. I talked to a Kane driver on Friday who told me he and his coworkers were miffed after hearing that news. She denies being an executive of Kane is Able but signs FEC reports as an executive of Kane is Able. Kane's claim that she has prosecuted 3000 cases has been scrutinized but only a few dozen have actually gone to trial. In this day and age of plea agreements very few cases go to trial. Above Average Jane casts doubts on her claim to be a certified  elder abuse lawyer. Murphy is hitting her for contributing money to Tom Corbett's Governor campaign.

Then there is fact that she doesn't pay her parking tickets.

Kathleen Kane had 15 parking tickets dismissed

Whoever wins this race I'm sure that either one would be a better AG than David Freed
The closing ads.

Pennsylvania Attorney General poll

Which Democrat will take on David Freed in the fall? Vote on the sidebar and tell us why in the comments. The choices are Patrick Murphy or Kathleen Kane.

Thursday events

This must be Thursday. I never could get the hang of Thursdays.-Arthur Dent

So many things going on Thursday.

On the local scene Matt and Phyllis will be having a lovefest in West Wyoming while Bill Vinsko and Gene Stilp square off in Kingston that few people will attend or get a chance to watch on TV. Kathy Kane will skip the W-B city council meeting to host a Luzerne County Democratic rally at the Ramada on Public Square. How did all three of these events get scheduled at the the same time? Tim Holden is scheduled to be in the Lehigh Valley but you wouldn't know that if you checked his website.

Former President Clinton will be campaigning for Kathleen Kane down near Philly tomorrow and President Obama's top political guy was in the city of brotherly love backing Murphy yesterday. Loyalty is important in politics. Kane was big supporter of Hillary when she ran ran for President in 2008 and Murphy was one of the few elected officials in PA to back Obama.

I'm a bit conflicted about which event to attend. The Willow Grove thing is out of the question and the reluctant Nanticoke Committeeman has in invited me to the rally on Public Square. I'll take a pass on both. So do I want to go to LWV forum or a party with my 3rd favorite state rep and a guy who just may be my next Congressman?

Some press releases

WILLOW GROVE, PA--President Bill Clinton will attend a major “Get Out The Vote” rally for veteran prosecutor and Democratic State Attorney General candidate Kathleen Kane this Thursday, April 12th from 6 – 8 pm at Upper Moreland High School in the town of Willow Grove, Montgomery County in the northwestern suburbs of Philadelphia. The rally follows President Clinton’s recent endorsement of Kathleen Kane as Pennsylvania’s first elected female Attorney General. “Kathleen Kane is the most experienced and qualified candidate to serve as Pennsylvania Attorney General," said President Clinton. “I am confident that Kathleen will use the legal system to protect and advance the lives of all Pennsylvanians. She is smart, tough, and experienced, and she will make a great Attorney General.” Kane, a veteran Deputy District Attorney for Lackawanna County in Northeast Pennsylvania, is greatly appreciative of President Clinton’s strong show of support for her candidacy. “Words cannot express my gratitude to President Clinton for his unwavering support,” Kane added. “President Clinton remains an enormously popular and influential world leader. Our campaign is incredibly energized by the President’s support. We intend to ride this wave of momentum to victory on Tuesday, April 24th and in the November General Election. We also look forward to having President Clinton at our side throughout this historic journey.”


Philadelphia, PA) – Senior Obama Campaign Advisor David Axelrod campaigned today in Philadelphia for Patrick Murphy, giving a boost to his run for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

In a strategy meeting with key supporters at a Philadelphia law firm, Axelrod said Patrick Murphy has the experience, leadership and vision to be a great Attorney General for the people of Pennsylvania.

He also noted Murphy's ardent support of the President during some of his tougher fights including ending the war in Iraq, repealing Don't Ask, Don't
Tell and protecting women's rights.

“President Obama has never had a better friend in politics than Patrick Murphy. He was with us early, he was a great supporter of the election, but more importantly he was a leader we could count on to help end the war in Iraq and repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Patrick has taken up fights for people, not for special interests, but for people who needed a voice,” Axelrod said.

“There are the people who run for public office because they want to be something, and then there are people who run for public office because they want to do something, because they want to serve and they see it as a way of making our community stronger. There is nobody I know who exemplifies that ethic more than Patrick Murphy, who has served his country so honorably, served his community so honorably. I’ve never met anyone who impressed me more than Patrick in terms of that commitment and that sense of service. This is a guy who represents a better future for Pennsylvania,“ he added.

Axelrod said he knows that as Attorney General, Murphy will protect the middle class and defend the rights of all Pennsylvanians with the same passion and conviction.

An early supporter of President Obama, Murphy endorsed his presidential campaign in August 2007. The primary election for Attorney General is on
April 24.

PA Attorney General candidates stay positive on the air

The press release war is another thing.The Kane and Murphy campaigns are arguing about the ultra sound bill that they both oppose. Murphy says he won't enforce it because he thinks it unconstitutional. Kane said she would enforce the law even if she disagrees with it. I'm with Kane on this one. The Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should follow the law as it is written.

Both candidates tell us how tough they are.

Kathleen Kane taking more hits

Borys noticed that Kane is talking out both sides of her mouth on the Employee Free Choice Act also known as card check.

Tuesday, things got more complicated. As a guest on a live call-in program on the Pennsylvania Cable Network, she had an exchange with a caller. Ms. Kane: "So, Pat, your question is, am I a supporter of card check?" PCN host: "He's not on the line, but that sounds like his question."
Ms. Kane: "That sounds like your question. I am not a supporter."...
Friday, her campaign issued a statement saying she's proud of her husband's success and she's "pro-union because it's in my blood and because I believe that America does best when it has a strong, growing middle class."
The statement also said she supports the Employee Free Choice Act, and as attorney general would defend the right to organize unions. It was a contradiction of what she seemed to say on PCN.

Her family's trucking company is non union.

Vote Vets will be having a conference call about the AG race later today.

Recently, the campaign of Kathleen Kane has demeaned the service of Patrick Murphy in the US Army, by claiming he has not been a prosecutor, despite the hundreds of cases he tried in the Army. Further, she has made an issue of him not taking the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, even though his commanding officer recommended he take another bar, and he was given a waiver from taking the Pennsylvania bar because of his years of service in the military.

TOMORROW, TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 AT 10AM, veterans from VoteVets.org PAC, which has endorsed Murphy, will hold a conference call to call on the Kane campaign to apologize for the remarks, and set the record straight.

The Pennsylvania Progressive has this: The Kane campaign not only questioned his military service but his fitness to pass the bar. Morrow told me the Minnesota test their opponent took to qualify for the bar was easier than Pennsylvania's and said Murphy took it for that reason. Morrow then attacked Murphy's claim to have prosecuted terrorists.

Also she denies being an executive of Kane is Able but signed FEC reports as an executive of Kane is Able. John concludes The Kane campaign lies. They cannot be trusted and the last thing we need is a liar as Attorney General. I demand a full public apology from Ms. Kane for lying about me.

Above Average Jane points out that Kane may be misrepresenting her credentials.

I googled a few key phrases, such as "specializes in child abuse law" and "specializes in elder abuse law." There were remarkably few results and most of those were not law firms but articles that use those terms.

So it was odd to see that Kathleen Kane, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, uses that phrase on her campaign website:
As an Assistant District Attorney for Lackawanna County, Kathleen began in the child abuse/sexual assault unit spending several years prosecuting gruesome cases of physical and sexual abuse of children and adults. Simultaneous to the duties of this unit, Kathleen specialized in cases involving elder abuse, prosecuted white-collar criminals, and exposed abuses in Orphans’ Court.

The National Elder Law Foundation states that:

The National Elder Law Foundation is the only national organization certifying practitioners of elder and special needs law. NELF's Certified Elder Law Attorney designation is itself certified by the American Bar Association.

You can search for a certified lawyer by state. Kathleen Kane is not listed, not under Kane or Granahan, on the PA list.

This may be significant. It may not. In the law, as in many things, the devil is in the details. This seemed like a detail.

Then there is parking ticket story that I broke that got a lot of play on the WILK Sue Henry radio show but there may be more shenannigans going on with tickets in Scranton.

Magistrate Alyce Hailstone has also dismissed a bunch of tickets for 2 other Lackawanna County Assistant Attorneys. From Scranton Political Times Message Board

Assistant DA's Michael and Ellen Goffer also don't have to pay parking fines. Ellen Goffer is Kathleen Kane's sister.

The list for Ellen Goffer

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0001566-07http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002673-06http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002830-06http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000885-06http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000556-06http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000567-06http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006579-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006751-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006392-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0005911-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006058-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0004436-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0004486-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0004042-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0003682-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0003823-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002706-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002859-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0003076-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002132-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002177-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0002305-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0001465-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0001490-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000527-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000722-05http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0007398-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006192-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006468-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006570-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0005280-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0005498-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0005049-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0004009-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0003369-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0003711-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0003112-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0001490-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0001928-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000157-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0000183-04http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0009207-03http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0009211-03http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0008425-03http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0008037-03http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0007032-03http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-45-1-02&docketNumber=TR-0006826-03


Michael Goffer

Balance: $71.50Balance: $69.00Balance: $69.00Balance: $69.00Balance: $69.00Balance: $68.50Balance: $68.50Balance: $68.50Balance: $68.50Balance: $67.50Balance: $67.50Balance: $67.50Balance: $65.50Balance: $65.50Balance: $65.50Balance: $65.50Balance: $64.00

You wonder who else is getting this treatment.

Kane on the air

Democratic Attorney General candidate Kathleen Kane has her 1st TV spot of the campaign up.

NEPartisan has a review:

Not long ago, I saw a Kathleen Kane ad on cable news. It was a typical introducing ad, who she is, why she’s the choice for PA Attorney General, etc.
Throw in the usual footage of speaking to various people, add in a veteran, show the family, and BAM! you’ve got your ad.
It also mentions the endorsement from former President Clinton, so this ad has freshness.
Can Patrick Murphy counter? Does he have the money to throw up television ads across the state?
If I’m a voter not familiar with the PA Attorney General race, she’s the only candidate running. With the Clinton bump, it’s her race to lose.

Introduction

Patrick Murphy snags AFL-CIO endorsement

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Endorses Patrick Murphy

(Philadelphia, PA) – Today, Iraq war veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy issued the following statement after earning the endorsement of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, which represents 900,000 working families:

"I'm honored to earn the support of so many hard working Pennsylvanians. My dad was police officer for 22 years, so I grew up in a union household. And I understand that working families are struggling right now. There is a clear contrast in this race. I've always fought to defend the rights of workers to organize for better wages and working conditions, and as Attorney General I will continue to protect workers and the middle class. But my opponent has refused answer questions about her company's fiercely anti-union positions. Pennsylvanians need to know that their Attorney General will always fight for them. My record is clear. Unfortunately, my opponent's is not.” Murphy said.

Most endorsements are only good for a press release unless it brings money or boots on the ground. This one brings both. So which endorsement is more helpful, this one or President Clinton's ? It may help if he campaigns for Kathleen Kane but his recent track record of backing PA candidates hasn't worked out the way they wanted just ask Chris Doherty, Joe Sestak and Paul Kanjorski.

I've been told that Kane is on TV with a bio spot but I haven't seen it and it's not on her website or YouTube channel yet. I'll post it when I get the link.

Former President Clinton Endorses Kathleen Kane

From the inbox:

President Clinton Endorses Prosecutor Kathleen Kane for Pennsylvania Attorney General

SCRANTON, PA -- Prosecutor Kathleen Kane is honored to announce that President Bill Clinton has formally endorsed her candidacy for Pennsylvania Attorney General. "The first elected office I ever held was Attorney-General, so it's a job I know something about. The Attorney General can have an enormous positive impact, so it’s important to elect someone who understands how to use the office and the legal system to protect and advance the lives of Pennsylvanians. Kathleen Kane would make a great Attorney General. She's smart and tough. She's prosecuted more than 3000 cases, protected senior citizens, and put child molesters and violent criminals behind bars,” remarked President Clinton. “Kathleen is a great Democrat who understands that an Attorney General's job is to stand up for consumers and people. I'm proud to endorse my friend Kathleen Kane and I hope she'll become the first woman ever elected Attorney General by the people of Pennsylvania."

"Pennsylvania has always been Clinton Country,” said Kane, “so I am energized by the President's endorsement and the momentum it provides my campaign. Moreover, it's an honor to be endorsed by President Clinton, someone who demonstrated the right kind of leadership for Pennsylvania and America.
# # #http://www.kathleengkane.com/

Kathleen Kane is a veteran prosecutor who has experience ranging from the crime scene to the courtroom. Her career spans thousands of cases from murder and assault to child abuse and elder abuse, from rape and domestic violence, to public corruption and insurance fraud.Kathleen has worked with victims and families, has prosecuted thousands of criminals, and has the experience we need as our next Attorney General.

Kathleen Kane had 15 parking tickets dismissed

Pennsylvania Attorney General candidate Kathleen Kane had 15 parking tickets all dismissed by the same Judge, Scranton Magistrate Alyce Hailstone. The tickets were written between 1998 and 2001 and the dismissals happened between 2002 and 2009. In one case a ticket was written 3/12/99 but wasn't dismissed until 7/9/09, over 10 years. I don't think Scranton uses the boot for parking offenders.

You can check out the details below:
.
Ticket Issued... Court Date* ...Result
2/21/01... ........8/12/02 .........Dismissed/Closed
10/31/00 .........9/16/05......... Dismissed/Closed
8/28/00 .........1/28/02 .........Dismissed/Closed
2/28/00 ..........4/19/04 ........Dismissed/Closed
9/17/99 ...........5/16/07 .........Dismissed/Closed
9/17/99 ...........5/16/07 .........Dismissed/Closed
6/18/99 .........10/25/05 ........Dismissed/Closed
5/18/99 ..........1/19/07 ..........Dismissed/Closed
3/31/99 .........9/15/06 ...........Dismissed/Closed
3/31/99 .........8/19/05 ...........Dismissed/Closed
3/31/99 ..........8/4/05 ...........Dismissed/Closed
3/12/99 ............7/9/09 .........Dismissed/Closed
3/12/99 .........6/30/05 ..........Dismissed/Closed
1/12/99 .........4/22/04 ..........Dismissed/Closed
11/27/98........ 9/29/04 .........Dismissed/Closed

.

I asked the Kane campaign for an explanation and spox Frank Keel responded:

.

"Of the 15 parking violations noted, 11 were undeliverable, meaning the issuing entity had a bad address for Kathleen. After a certain period of time, if the issuing entity does not deliver the parking citation to the correct address, the citation is dismissed. The other four tickets in question were simply dismissed, presumably because there were mechanical problems with the parking meters."

.

Being a law abiding motor vehicle operator that hasn't had a parking ticket in over 15 years this response raised a few questions in my mind. The last time I got a parking ticket I found it on the windshield of my car and I wrote out a check the next day. I blew off a ticket once then received a notice that included late fees and realized that the city had my address by running my plate number. I'm not a lawyer but it is my understanding that I'm required to provide PennDOT with my current address when I fill out the annual registration.

Murphy on the air

The contest for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania Attorney General is the 2nd most interesting race in our part of the Commonwealth after the 17th CD primary between Cartwright and Holden. The Man on Dog vs. the Dog on Roof Prez contest has kind of fizzled after Romney's blowout win in Illinois.

Patrick Murphy is winning the money primary outraising Kathleen Kane by 5 to 1 although Kane has $2 million cash on hand thanks to the generosity of her family.

I have to admit that I'm partial to fellow vet Murphy a graduate of King's College who had the honor of introducing President Clinton when he visited Wilkes-Barre in 1996. The first time I met him he told me "I read your blog." He attended the last Blogfest driving through a monsoon to get there. Hopefully he will attend our next together on March 30th and Tom will bring along Kathleen Kane. Republican David Freed has also been invited.

Here is the ad via PoliticsPA

Don Bailey bails on 2012 Democratic primary for PA AG

Bailey to Run for AG as Indy, Not Dem


He has decided to mount an independent bid instead. Good luck with that as Pennsylvania has set the bar so high for independents or 3rd party candidates to make the ballot it is almost impossible, just ask Carl Romanelli.

Some background on former Congressman and Auditor General Bailey can be found on a previous post.

It looks like Patrick Murphy allies challenged his petitions and he didn't think that he could survive a court challenge so he will try to go the independent route. So after failing to get 2000 valid signatures for the primary he will attempt to get 20,000 plus signatures by August 1st. The rule of thumb is you need at least twice the required number to beat off a challenge. Unless he has an army of volunteers or can pay canvassers with Black Water money it is unlikely he will make the fall ballot. If he does make it it will be bad news for the Democratic nominee.

Both Patrick Murphy and Kathleen Kane oppose the ultrasound abortion bill. I'm not sure what David Freed's position on it is. I would hope that any Republican would oppose such an invasive procedure mandated by the government as an attack on freedom. The Voter ID Act that is a solution in search of a problem is opposed by Kane and Murphy but is supported by Freed. The last time I heard of in person voter fraud was when Joe Moran's kid was up for the WVW school board but it turned out that he was using his father's address in the Miner's Mill's section of Wilkes-Barre to vote.

The more I find out about Kathleen Kane raises more questions about her. The Pennsylvania Progessive

She denies being an exeutive of Kane is Able but signs FEC reports as an executive of Kane is Able.
Get your shit together Kathleen.

There is no doubt that Patrick Murphy will be backing President Obama for reelection but I'm not sure about Kane.

Kane is Able to back McCain

Don Bailey for Attorney General

Former Congressman and Auditor General Don Bailey is running for PA Attorney General. He represented the 21st CD for 2 terms from 1979 to 1983 then lost to John Murtha after his district was merged with Murtha's after the 1982 redistricting. He made a comeback winning the 1984 Auditor General race but then lost a series of elections getting beat in the 1986 Senate primary then lost his bid for reelection to Barbara Hafer in 1988. He tried to regain the office in 1992 but lost in the primary then lost a bid for governor in 1998. Since then he has been a civil rights attorney.

Third Democrat emerges in Pa. attorney general race


"I have simply become fed up with what I feel is a pervasive level of corruption in Pennsylvania," he said in an interview Tuesday. "The Attorney General's Office has been a do-nothing office for too long."...Bailey acknowledged his late entrance could relegate his candidacy to long-shot status....His Harrisburg-based civil-rights law practice has occupied most of his time during the last decade, he said. Focused on representing whistle-blowers, Bailey describes himself as an "equal-opportunity suer."

PoliticsPA: But he’s also run into some professional trouble. He came close to being disbarred in 2011, accused by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of bringing frivolous lawsuits.

I don't think he will have much of an impact on the race as Patrick Murphy and Kathleen Kane have been running for months and have banked some big bucks. He's counting on name recognition but hasn't won an election in 28 years so only old political junkies like me and the Yonk even remember the guy.

PENNSYLVANIA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ENDORSE MURPHY

State Young Democrats Stand Firm with the Former Prosecutor and Iraq War Veteran


On behalf of over half-a-million young Democrats in the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Young Democrats have overwhelmingly voted to endorse Patrick Murphy as their choice for Attorney General of Pennsylvania.

“Patrick Murphy has distinguished himself as a unique leader capable of executing the duties of Pennsylvania Attorney General” said PAYD president W. Anthony Youngblood, “due to his extraordinary record of honorable achievement in both law and public service we believe Patrick Murphy is the candidate best suited to deliver a win for Democrats this November.”

In response to the PAYD endorsement, Murphy said “It’s very simple. The youth vote will determine the outcome of the 2012 elections here in Pennsylvania.”

Murphy went on to say that “without a strong youth vote, we have no chance of stopping the Republican extremists from continuing their destructive agenda in Harrisburg.”

“That’s why I’m so honored to earn the support of the Pennsylvania Young Democrats. Their passion and dedication has helped galvanize young voters who increasingly understand what’s at stake in these elections, thanks to the hard work of PAYD.”


The Pennsylvania Young Democrats is the official youth-branch of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

Kane is Able to back McCain

The news in the Pennsylvania Attorney General race is about the money the Democratic candidates have raised.

PoliticsPA: Kane’s husband helps to run his family’s business, Kane Trucking in Scranton. He loaned $1.75 million to his wife’s campaign, reports PhillyClout, and contributed $500,000. The former Lackawanna County assistant District Attorney currently has $2,009,911 on hand.
Murphy, meanwhile, did it the old fashioned way. He raised around $1.4 million in 2011 and begins 2012 with $1,043,016 on hand. He boasts over 2,500 individual donors.

Patrick Murphy and Kathleen Kane have both released internal polls that the campaigns are spinning but both show Murphy in the lead.

Murphy picked up support from Philadelphia politico's after Dan McCaffery dropped out.

In interesting twist the comment threads on PoliticsPA say that that Kane went the PUMA route after Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama in 2008 and supported John McCain for President.

Local Clinton backers, McCain adviser meet

PA Attorney General race news

No candidate was able to muster the two thirds vote necessary to get the Pennsylvania Democratic Party endorsement last weekend,The Next Stage gives the play by play. Since then Dan McCaffery decided he didn't have enough support and dropped out of the race. That leaves former Congressman Patrick Murphy and Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Kane vieing for the Democratic nomination. The winner will take on Republican David Freed.

Murphy is a King's College Wilkes-Barre grad and friend of the blog who keeps racking up endorsements. The latest is from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter:

“We need a tough Attorney General who is smart on crime, who understands that consumers need to be protected, that seniors need to be protected, that all of us need the protection of a strong, independent Attorney General. He has been a great champion for this city, this region, and of course, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Mayor Nutter. “His military career and his service to the nation as a military officer and as a lawyer in the military again demonstrate his true commitment to public service. What I really like about Patrick, my friend, is that he will defend our rights while at the same time make sure we are all safe.”

Add this to the list. A bunch of Allegheny County politicos and labor leaders signed on and my 2nd favorite member of Congress Allyson Schwatrz, who should run for the Senate, backed him earlier.

The Luzerne County Democratic Party endorsed him .

The list of pols local and otherwise that is on his side

Murphy for PA Endorsements

Elected Officials

Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania Governor
Tim Holden, U.S. Rep.
Allyson Schwartz,
U.S. RepRon Klink, Former U.S. Rep.
Paul Kanjorski, Former U.S. Rep.
Harris Wofford, Former U.S. Senator
Dan Onorato, Former Allegheny County Executive
Seth Williams, Philadelphia District Attorney
John Hanger, Former Secretary of PA Department of Environmental Protection
.
Dwight Evans, State Rep.
Mike Carroll, State. Rep.
Phillys Mundy, State Rep.
Eddie Day Pashinski, State Rep.
Jennifer Mann, State Rep.
TJ Rooney, Former Chair, PA Dems
Chair
Kathy Kane, Luzerne County


Issue Advocacy Groups

The Human Rights Campaign

VoteVets